Phone lines connecting Ethiopia and Eritrea have now reopened amid the two border countries recent declaration to end their war, CNN reports. Ethiopians and Eritreans are reportedly rejoicing in the historic move. 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed a joint declaration of peace on Sunday, July 8, in Asmara, Ethiopia, declaring the end of the Ethiopian-Eritrean war that erupted in 1998. The two neighboring countries have conflicted for decades in the aftermath of the bloody war. 

As part of the historic peace deal, phone lines connecting the two border countries have now reopened. Frehiwot Negash, an Ethiopian woman, told the news site that she tested the new development by calling a hotel in Eritrea. 

"The receptionist picked up," she told CNN. "So I said, 'I'm calling from Ethiopia.' Then I passed the congratulations message to her, and I told her that I am very happy, and she also said 'I am happy, too.'"

According to a report by Reuters, an Ethiopian mechanic, Mohammed Osman, told the publication he hadn't heard his mother's voice – who had reportedly been expelled to Eritrea amid the border conflict – in years. 

"I couldn't recognize her at first but for her laughter," he told Reuters. "It was surreal. It was bittersweet."

As part of the peace deal, the two nations will also forge political, economic and social cooperation, resume trade and diplomatic ties and work toward regional peace, among other initiatives, Abiy's chief of staff, Fitsum Arega, wrote on Twitter. 

Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines released a press release stating it would resume daily flights to Asmara beginning July 18. 

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